Denise Rockenstein —
LAKE COUNTY — AIDSWalk Lake County is just around the corner and preparations for fifth annual event are under way.
Community Care HIV/AIDS Program (CCHAP) seeks volunteers, participants, vendors and sponsors. Proceeds from the event will assist CCHAP in continuing in its mission to provide for area residents living with HIV and/or AIDS.
The event, which will be held on Sept. 22 at Austin Park in Clearlake, provides an opportunity for area resource providers to showcase the services they offer in and around Lake County. Nonprofit organizations, especially those serving the health field, are encouraged to participate.
Rachel Robison, CCHAP outreach coordinator, said Moran”s Pharmacy has committed to the event. “Moran”s Pharmacy is really community/client focused and has been a supporter of the Lake County AIDSWalk since its inception. We are pleased to welcome them back as our event sponsor,” she said.
Robison said education and outreach are the main purposes of Lake County AIDSWalk. She said there are many ways to participate. Those wishing to do the foot work and walk the flat, mile course around Austin Park can pay an entry fee or enlist sponsors. The entry fee is $5 per walker. Those collecting sponsorship pledges of $50 or more will receive an event T-shirt.
Event sponsorship opportunities are available at varied costs. New to the program is a $50 Quilt Sponsor opportunity in which the sponsor”s name is displayed on cardstock quilt at the event. “This is a way to incorporate the AIDS quilt that has been around since the `80s into our local event,” Robison said. “It symbolizes the life of those living with HIV/AIDS and those that have passed.”
Robison said efforts are being made to incorporate more youth-oriented activities into the event. She said nearly 50 percent of all new HIV infections are among people 24 years old and younger.
“Educating youth in harm-reduction practices is vital to decreasing new infections,” she said. “CCHAP is working hard to engage our local Native American community into our wellness efforts as well. Native American women are three to four times more likely to die from AIDS than white women most likely because of access to care.”
Robison said all proceeds from the event will be directed toward providing services for CCHAP clients that are not otherwise funded.
For more information, contact the CCHAP office at 995-1606 or stop by the new location at 8050 A Lake St. in Lower Lake.
